1. Trump’s got nothin on the Bear, Paul.

Having perhaps a bigger day were the scores of Alabama politicians and politicos who live in Washington D.C. or who traveled up to take part in the festivities.

The event lit up social media with images like the one above. So, I captured a lot of them and put them in a story. Check out photos galore from Alabama’s visit to the White House HERE.

A big credit to Head Coach Nick Saban, who reportedly told his players it was an honor to visit the White House no matter who is occupying it.

Also credit to punter J.K Scott, who was seen gathering players around the president to offer a word of prayer. It sure seemed like they were praying for/over the commander-in-chief, which… wow. How many faithful grown ups would take it upon ourselves to do that?

Yeah, that’d be a headache for Shelby and his team of appropriations staff, who would much rather continue working on NEXT YEAR’S spending bills than reopen the can of worms that took the better part of two years to close in the first place.

No good deed goes unpunished? No rest for the weary? What’s the appropriate cliche here?

4. What’s next for Montgomery schools?

Presumably, they will discuss next steps for Montgomery Public Schools, perhaps the state’s most troubled system.

Strange and Richardson have attempted to implement sweeping education and financial reforms to help save the system, but have been stymied by lawsuits from the Alabama Education Association.

Most recently, AEA sued to block Montgomery from selling underpopulated Georgia Washington High School to Pike Road – a deal that would have netted about $9 million to help keep the school system financially afloat.

“From cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School to successfully arguing cases before judges from Alabama’s Supreme Court to the U.S. Supreme Court, Mr. Brasher’s experience would be an asset to the bench.”

5. News briefs.

Facebook was the focus of A TON of national media attention yesterday as CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified on Capitol Hill. I didn’t find much of it very enlightening, but it was a good chance for Senators to get on the teevee. One bit of news is that Facebook is cooperating with the Mueller probe into Russia’s attempts to influence the election. That could matter. Read more HERE.

Governor Kay Ivey contributed an Op-Ed reflecting on the past year in the state’s top job after unexpectedly taking office one year ago yesterday. Read that HERE.

AL.com is pretty serious about getting the governor to debate. I think I’ve counted five opinion pieces and/or videos on the subject so far, this from Kyle Whitmire being the latest.

Congratulations, Birmingham. You’re now free to enjoy Bloody Marys and mimosas for brunch on Sundays as the city has loosened its alcohol policies. In other news: Montgomery, we need to talk.

There was a “drunken brawl” at the Ohatchee town council. But don’t worry, the council member was found not guilty of assault. Read more in The Anniston Star.